Lifetime Achievement Awards

Named for the late founder and chairman emeritus of Safari Club International, the C.J. McElroy Award was established in 1995.

The award honors a member of SCI who has made great contributions to the sport of hunting, achieved excellence in worldwide hunting, displayed a dedication to the conservation of wildlife, has a history of service to the global hunting community and to Safari Club International’s goals.

Potential nominees must show exemplary ethics in the sport of hunting and be committed to SCI’s programs and mission statement.

Induction into the Safari Club International Hall of Fame is perhaps the most prestigious honor bestowed upon an SCI member.

Introduced in 1984, potential inductees are nominated by SCI members. The Hall of Fame Award selection committee ranks each nominee based upon the following criteria:

• History of service to the world hunting community
• Dedication to Safari Club International’s goals of conservation
• Protecting the freedom to hunt and educating the public

Hall of Fame Award criteria does not include the candidates’ hunting accomplishments. A unique bronze statue is presented to the inductee during the Annual Hunters’ Convention.

Established in 1987, the SCI & Bass Pro Shop/Cabela’s Young Hunter Award recognizes an outstanding young SCI member between the ages of 15 and 25.

Candidates for this award must:

• Complete the application
• Compose a 500-word essay on the topic “How I Am A Role Model for Hunting”
• Complete a hunter safety education certification course
• Obtain a letter of recommendation from an SCI chapter and another from a school administrator.

A subset of the Awards and Recognition Committee selects the recipient of the Young Hunter Award. Applications are scored based on:

• 30 percent conservation work and community service
• 25 percent hunting and outdoor experience
• 25 percent role model for hunting (including essay)
• 10 percent SCI chapter recommendation
• 10 percent overall judgment of applicant by the Awards and Recognition Committee

The winner will be recognized at the SCI Annual Hunters’ Convention.

The International Hunting Award was established in 1984 to honor the great hunters of the world.

Possible candidates are those hunters who have achieved excellence in the field, hunted extensively and are actively hunting at the time of selection. Candidates must be responsible hunters who demonstrate ethical values through years of hunting experience worldwide.

Selection is based solely on specific and well-defined hunting achievements, such as:

• Number and quality of trophies entered into the SCI Record Book
• Method of take utilized
• The total number of individual and cumulative awards earned through the SCI World Hunting Award Program

All candidates must have completed at Diamond Level:

• Mountain Game of the World
• Animals of Africa
• Animals of North America

These criteria result in scores used to determine the recipient of this prestigious award.

The Professional Hunter of the Year Award honors professionals in the sport of hunting who are acknowledged by the hunting community and by clients to be considered outstanding leaders of the hunting profession. Until 1993, only one professional hunter per year was presented with the award. Starting that year, the award was split into two divisions: North American and International. Nominations for the Professional Hunter of the Year Awards can only be submitted by current SCI Board members.

Recipients shall be individuals who are experts regarding wildlife, wildlife habitats, and the landscapes in which they operate. They must possess the ability to safely, effectively, and efficiently assist others to hunt in a proficient and ethical manner, abiding by all wildlife laws. They must demonstrate a history of service to SCI as evidenced by their active engagement in all aspects of SCI including record book, membership, convention, and wildlife conservation. They must be an SCI member in good standing as well as an exhibitor at the SCI Hunters’ Convention, at which the award will be presented, and have been an exhibitor for at least five years. They must have worked in the professional hunting industry for not less than ten years and must be active in related professional organizations and participate in governmental and conservation activities which further the sport of hunting.